San Diego to San Francisco: Road Trip Guide & Distance

458.3 miles 737.6 km · straight line
502.2 miles actual route 808.2 km · driving distance
9h 28min estimated drive time
$48 - $59 estimated fuel cost
~1h 25min flight time
321° NW bearing direction

How far is San Diego from San Francisco?

The distance from San Diego to San Francisco is 458.3 miles (737.6 km) as the crow flies. San Francisco is located NW of San Diego. By car, the driving distance is approximately 502.2 miles, taking about 9h 28min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 25min. Both are located in United States.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for San Diego and San Francisco. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from San Diego to San Francisco

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 9h 28min $48 - $59 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 25min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~11h 22min $40–$75* Budget
Train ~9h 0min $60–$176* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between San Diego & San Francisco

Quick Facts

San Diego
32.72°N, 117.16°W
America/Los_Angeles
20m elevation
San Francisco
37.77°N, 122.42°W
America/Los_Angeles
16m elevation
Explore more routes from San Francisco

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 153 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 38 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 54.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM